Coatings and corrosion
ISO 12944: Paints and varnishes, corrosion protection of steel structures by protective paint systems
The framework for specifying and verifying protective paint systems for steel.
Reference noteThis page is an independent plain-language summary written by QUALITAS TR. It does not reproduce the standard. Always work from the current official edition, available from ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, and national standards bodies such as TSE in Turkey (official page). QUALITAS TR supports organisations against this standard; it does not certify them.
01Purpose
ISO 12944 is a multi-part standard for corrosion protection of steel structures by protective paint systems: environments, design, surface preparation, paint systems, laboratory performance tests, execution and supervision, and specifications.
02Scope
Corrosivity categories C1 (very low) to C5 (very high) and CX (extreme) for atmospheres, and Im1 to Im4 for immersion. Durability ranges express expected time to first major maintenance.
03Main requirements
- Environment classification
- Design for corrosion protection
- Surface preparation requirements
- Paint system selection by corrosivity and durability
- Execution and supervision of paint work
- Development of specifications
04Typical applications and industries
Structural steel, plant structures, tanks and equipment.
05Audit and inspection considerations
- Is the specified system appropriate for the category and durability?
- Are execution conditions controlled?
06Common nonconformities
- System changed without approval
- Coats below specified DFT
- Overcoat intervals exceeded